This route forms a principal north south route through the mid west of NSW. One may
conviently continue from the northern extremity to various parts of Queensland.
It is sealed and dual lane. A lot of heavy transport use this route.
Note. In general, roadside parking is often only signed when it's on your left side. Not sure why, but guess to stop
one crossing to the other side of the road against oncoming traffic. This means, however, that parking spots on
the opposite side of the highway, to which we travelled, may be missed in these notes.
0 km (511.6 km) In Dubbo .. second Wellington turn off.
[1.2 km]
1.2 km (510.4 km) In Dubbo .. first Wellington turn off.
Along the Newell on northern ouskirts of Dubbo there is a large truck parking area on the western side.
Opposite, and at the northern end, is the cheapest fuel we could find around Dubbo.
Interestinly enough, and in general, fuel was less expensive in the towns to the north of Dubbo rather
than in Dubbo! This was noticed both in January and April, 2004.
[7.5 km]
8.7 km (502.9 km) BROCKHURST .. turn west for Terrimungamine Reserve.
------------------------------
0 km Turn off .. west.
3.9 km Terrimungamine Reserve to the right (south) .. between road and river bank.
Large wooded area with tracks .. best camp spots near river bank .. river rather in inaccessible.
Class 1. 32° 10.28'S. 148° 35.107'E. Hema map 22, C 3.
Toilets, shade, fireplaces (little firewood), rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 100m max from 100 kph
road, good TV.
------------------------------
DUBBO to GOONDIWINDI .. continued.
[1.1 km]
9.8 km (501.8 km) REST AREA .. west side .. large paved area used by trucks, gravel area at rear.
* Class 2 (good). 32° 10.292'S. 148° 37.095'E. Hema map 22, C 3.
Covered tables, shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 120m max from 100 kph highway, Good TV.
[28.9 km]
38.7 km (472.9 km) Narromine turn off .. west side.
[15.2 km]
53.9 km (457.7 km) MARTHAGLY REST AREA .. long sealed drive through loop .. east side.
Class 2. Hema map 22, B 3.
Covered tables, very little shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 20 m max from 100 kph highway.
[10.9 km]
64.8 km (446.8 km) Turn off .. east side .. follow road to south parallel with highway ..
road turns east into a series of parallel roads seperated by lines of trees.
? Class 3 parking. Hema map 22, A 3.
Shade, 150 m max from highway, railway to rear! ? property belongs to grain corporation.
[0.4 km]
65.2 km (446.4 km) Ampol servo .. west side .. large truck parking bay at rear.
Class 2 ? with permission. 31° 43.520'S. 148° 39.139'E. Hema map 22, A 3.
Road house facilities.
[0.4 km]
65.6 km (446.0 km) Info Centre .. east side .. large area .. some "no camping" signs.
Class 5. 31° 43.276'S. 148° 39.414'E. Hema map 22, A 3.
Covered tables, some shade, rubbish bins, coin BBQ, OK big rigs, 80m max from highway.
[1.3 km]
66.9 km (444.7 km) GILGANDRA .. Oxley Highway junction.
[16.1 km]
83.0 km (428.6 km) Parking .. west side.
Class 2. Hema map 22, A 3.
Covered tables, rubbish bins, 10m max from 100 kph highway.
[6.2 km]
89.2 km (422.4 km) Parking .. sealed drive through areas, both sides.
Class 2. Hema map 22, A 4.
Covered tables, very little shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 20m max from 100 kph highway.
[1.2 km]
90.4 km (421.2 km) BIDDEN.
[5.5 km]
95.9 km (415.7 km) Parking .. sealed area adjacent to road .. east side.
Class 5. 31° 31.037'S. 148° 49.693'E. Hema map 22, A 4.
Covered tables, rubbish bin, 10m max from 100 kph highway.
[11.0 km]
106.9 km (404.7 km) TOORAWEENA .. small sealed area, west side at Warrumbungle National Park
turn off. Crossroads service station opposite.
Class 2. 31° 28.155'S. 148° 55.239'E. Hema map 24, K 2.
Toilet, covered table, no shade, water, OK big rigs, 20m from 100 kph highway.
[55.4 km]
162.3 km (349.3 km) COONABARABRAN.
Couple of non signed possible parking spots noted in area .. need investigating.
[5.4 km]
167.7 km (343.9 km) OXLEY HIGHWAY junction.
[3.3 km]
171.0 km (330.6 km) REST AREA .. west side .. sealed drive through area.
Class 2. 31° 13.807'S. 149° 19.564'E. Hema map 24, J 3.
Toilets, covered tables, some afternoon shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 75m from 100 kph highway.
[43.8 km]
214.8 km (296.8 km) YAMINBA .. small sealed drive through area with extra dirt area to the south.
Class 2. 30° 51.246'S. 149° 27.428'E. Hema map 24, J 4.
Toilets, some shade, water, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 30m max from highway.
[16.2 km]
Number of other off road gravel pits / potential parking spots noted in this general area.
231.0 km (280.6 km) PILLIGA REST AREA .. sealed drive through area with gravel area behind.
Class 2. Forgot lat & long. Hema map 24, H, 4.
Covered table, shade, OK big rigs, 100m max from 100 kph highway, firewood.
[27.8 km]
258.8 km (252.8 km) REST AREA .. paved drive through area, with gravel sections behind.
Class 2 .. good! Forgot lat & long. Hema map 24, G 4.
Covered tables, shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 75m max from 100 kph highway.
[7.8 km]
266.6 km (245.0 km) Off road parking area .. western side .. needs investigation.
[13.5 km]
280.1 km (231.5 km) Roundabout .. southern extremity of Narrabri .. Narrabri ahead. Turn west for Australian Telescope and Yarrie
Lake. Also, via back roads, to Wee Waa. The Kamilaroi Highway joins the Newell Highway just south of this spot.
------------------------------
0 km Turning west for Australia Telescope, Yarrie Lake.
[19.6 km] Following signs.
19.6 km Auatralia Telescope entrance (signed) .. north side .. well worth the visit.
[3.7 km]
23.3 km Turn left (signed) for Yarrie Lake.
[4.8 km]
28.1 km Rurn right (signed) for Yarrie Lake.
[0.6 km]
28.7 km dirt road commences .. follows edge of lake with camp spots (water connected to some) between road and lake.
Must pay caretaker before setting up camp.
[1.6 km]
30.3 km Yarrie Lake .. caretaker to left. Extensive level dirt parking area $10 pvpn .. powered sites $15 pvpn near and
opposite toilet block. Very accessible circular lake with nice sandy shore.
* Class 2. 30° 22.15' S. 149° 31.10' E. Hema map 24, G 4.
Toilets, showers, covered tables, shade, potable bore water, fireplaces, rubbish bins, quiet, OK big rigs,
no time limit, good TV, OK CDMA, boat ramp, water sports facilities.
------------------------------
DUBBO to GOONDIWINDI .. continued.
[1.7 km] Showground to west, where another traveller advised it was possible for motorhomes to overnight for a fee.
281.8 km (229.8 km) Centre of bridge oner Namoi River.
[1.2 km]
283.0 km (228.6 km) Junction .. eastern end Narribri Creek bridge. Newell/Kamilaroi Highway turns north. We turn south to Tarriaro
Reserve .. suggested, by info centre (after poining out there are 3 van parks in town), as a motorhome overnight spot.
-------------------------------
0 km Turn south, past parkland and caravan park .. both on right.
[0.7 km]
0.7 km Turn left, then immediately right around RSL Club onto Old Gunnedah Road.
[12.6 km]
13.3 km Veer right .. gravel road .. signed Boggabri 53 km, Gunnedah 83 km.
[0.4 km]
13.7 km Centre of Bridge. There are possible overnight spots on both sides of bridge, far side best. Also, fishing spots.
Class 2. 30° 23.95' S. 149° 53.53' E. Hema map 25, G 5.
Shade, rubbish bin, flat areas (caution in wet weather) suit medium size rigs, no time limit, good TV, weak CDMA.
[0.7 km]
14.4 km Track to left. Tarriaro Reserve sign. Not investigated.
[0.2 km]
14.6 km Track to right .. 60m to Namoi River bank with level grass turning area/parking spot provided by a suitable loop.
Suitable for long stay .. fishing in river. Caution in wet weather .. 4 WD track along bank.
* Class 2. 30° 34.36' S. 149° 53.75' E. Hema map 25, G 5.
Shade, rubbish bin, 50m from road (some noise), barely OK big rigs, no time limit, good TV, weak CDMA, river view.
-------------------------------
DUBBO to GOONDIWINDI .. continued.
[0.4 km]
283.4 km (228.2 km) Signed parking .. west side .. rear Info Centre/Australian Cotton Centre. Large sealed parking area including
4 bays for signed "for long vehicles". Large park area at rear .. looks good for overnight spot, but info centre says
"definately no". Parking suitable for walking to Woolworths and/or Post Office/town centre .. both opposite.
Class 5. 30° 19.43' S. 149° 46.82' E. Hema map 24, G 5.
Tables, Shade, rubbish bins, 50m max to 60 kph highway, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
[1.3 km] Heading north along Newell Highway .. follow signs.
284.7 km (226.9 km) Junction .. west side .. Kamilaroi Highway west to Wee Waa, Walgett etc.
[24.5 km]
309.2 km (202.4 km) EDGEROI .. servo, store.
[22.3 km]
331.5 km (180.1 km) BELLATA PARK .. caravan park, servo / road house, pub.
[1.5 km]
333.0 km (178.6 km) Signed (suspect, only from south) rest area .. west side. Small level sealed parking bay adjacent
to highway, railway line at rear.
Class 2-. 29° 54.26' S. 149° 47.43' E. Hema map 24, E 5.
Covered table, some shade, rubbish bin, 30m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[3.8 km]
336.8 km ( 174.8 km) Signed (from north) rest area .. small sealed circular area.
Class 2-. 29° 52.543'S. 149° 47.323'E. Hema map 24, E 5.
Covered tables, some shade, non potable water, rubbish bins, 35m max to highway (noisy), OK big rigs if not congested.
[15.6 km]
352.4 km (159.2 km) GURLEY .. Post office, hotel, servo.
[16.7 km]
369.1 km (142.5 km) Signed (? from south only) TYCANNAH rest ara .. west side .. long sealed loop off/on highway,
parking at edge.
Class 2. 29° 35.939'S. 149° 48.742'E. Hema map 24, E 5.
Covered tables, little shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 30m max from 100 kph highway (noisy),
good TV, weak CDMA, had lunch there.
A new similar area noted on other side of highway, suggest signed from north only.
[15.9 km]
385.0 km (126.6 km) MEHI RIVER.
[1.8km]
386.8 km (124.8 km) MOREE .. Gwydir highway junction.
[0.2 km]
387.0 km (124.6 km) MUNGINDI turn off.
[6.9 km]
393.9 km (117.7 km) BOOLOOBA REST AREA. Sealed drive through area between highway and
Gwydir River.
* Class 2. 29° 25.213'S. 149°54.246'E. Hema map 24, D 5.
Covered tables, some shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 30m max from 100 kph highway.
[2.3 km]
396.2 km (115.4 km) GWYDIR RIVER.
[30.9 km]
427.1 km (84.5 km) GIL GIL CREEK REST AREA.
Class 2. 29° 09.833'S. 150° 00.802'E. Hema map 25, C 5.
Covered tables, some afternoon shade, non potable water, rubbish bins, OK big rigs,
40m max from 100 kph highway.
[15.2 km]
442.3 (69.3 km) KINGI BORE REST AREA. Sealed loop off highway east side .. similar loop, west side.
Class 2. 29° 02.120'S. 150° 03.446'E. Hema map 24.
Covered tables, very little shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 50m max from 100kph highway.
[29.3 km]
471.6 km (40.0 km) North Star Road with REST AREA to the east.
Class 2. 28° 50.428'S 151° 13.580E'. Hema map 24, B 6.
Some sealed, some gravel drive through areas. Tables, rubbish bins, some shade, OK big rigs,
50m max from 100 kph highway. Area is popular with trucks.
[30.7 km]
502.3 km (9.3 km) BRUXNER HIGHWAY junction .. to east.
[0.3 km]
502.6 km (9.0 km) BOGGABILLA.
[7.2 km]
509.8 km (1.8 km) MACINTYRE RIVER.
[1.8 km]
511.6 km ( 0 km) GOONDIWINDI roundabout .. east of town.
GOONDIWINDI. Large rural town with most facilities.
A newish roundabout built outside the eastern side of the town has changed the traffic flow
to and from the various highways terminating at Goondawindi. The way I see it that the roundabout
is the northern terminating point for the Newell Highway and the western terminating point for
the Cunningham Highway to Warwick. The Barwon, Gore and Leichardt Highways terminate on the
the western side of the town. From the roundabout they may be accessed either via the original
main road through the town centre or via a new bypass road around the northern side of the town.
From the roundabout, the town cente is 2 km to the west. Angle parking predominates in the town,
but parallel parking is provided for caravans (and motorhomes) in the street running parallel
and to the south of the road from the roundabout to the main street at the eastern end near the old
bridge over the river. The eastern end of the town centre is close to this parking area.
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